Flash Sales Change Travel
Think about it, The Washington Post, asks, do you really want to go to the Shady Hill Inn in Maine because you’ve always wanted to go there?
Or do you want to go there because Sniqueaway.com has a sudden flash offer, and the excitement of “getting” the deal before the clock winds down is greater than your desire to go to Maine?
For More: The Washington Post

Forget Key Word, Search With Images Instead
More than 60 percent of Internet users worldwide start planning their next trip by typing one or more destinations into their search engine. Yet studies argue that 400 million would-be travelers are not sure where they want to go.
So what should they search for?
The newly-launched travel community Pixmeaway thinks their image-based search engine is the answer.
Users click on images from a set of 63 pre-defined motifs, then Pixmeaway classifies the user into seven travel personalities. Recommendations ( destinations, sights or activities) are then targeted to the individual preferences of the user.
Very cool, if it works.
For More: Pixmeaway

Welcome “Crowd Sourced” Translations
It was only a matter of time before someone figured out that translations are more reliable (and fun) when crowd sourced.
So Ackuna came up with a “translation machine” powered by humans whose users come from all over the world and provide various translation perspectives on language submitted to the site.
Users can vote on a translation, submit comments of a translation and provide feedback. Even if you don’t know Arabic, you can comment on the quality and accuracy of the English translation, and actaully win badges.
For More: Ackuna

Do Airlines Play Games With Seats?
We know airplane seat seat selection is subject to torturous and inscrutable rules and regulations. But when USA Today asked its readers if they thought the airlines were deliberately withholding seats forcing passengers to “buy up” and pay more, the answer was a resounding, “Yes!”
And then, very often the aircraft is only partially full. The cheaper, available seats did exist.
For More: USAToday Trap
When you pay a travel provider up front and in full, more than six months before you travel, beware. Banks and credit card companies typically provide a 60 day period to raise complaints and discrepancies. And check the cancellation policy.